Member Representing Hawul/Askira-Uba Federal Constituency of Borno State who is also the Chairman House Committee on COVID-19, Hon. Haruna Mshelia has commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for the ongoing reconstruction of the dilapidated 127 kilometres Biu- Shaffa- Garkida- Gombi road.
The road which was hitherto a nightmare for motorists and communities for decades, came to limelight when the lawmaker and his colleague representing Gombi/Hong Constituency, Rep. Yusuf Buba Yakub made frantic efforts to actualized the contract in collaboration with Rep. Muktari Betara representing Biu/Shani/Kwaya-Kusar/Baya Federal Constituency who is also the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation.
Speaking on the ongoing road project in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, Mshelia specifically thanked the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Betera who played a critical role in making funds available for the road which runs through three Federal Constituencies and two neighboring states of Borno and Adamawa.
“Rt Hon Betera has been doing wonderfully well to the people of his constituency, Borno and Nigerians as a whole.
“It is unfortunate that an online media while commenting on this issue clearly displayed ignorance in the working of the National Assembly, made erroneous assertions and mischievous claims which is against the ethics of noble profession of Journalism. As Parliamentarians, our doors are always open to journalists for information before publication.
“Honesty, I am very grateful to the federal government for releasing the funds for the reconstruction of this road. About 16 billion is required to reconstruct the road from Gombi to Biu, and l hope that yearly, sufficient funds will be appropriated and released to maintain the momentum of work.
“Rt Hon Betera whom we call Head Boy has been doing wonderfully well to the people of his constituency, Borno and Nigerians as a whole, myself and my colleague at the lower chamber, Hon Buba will continue to play our role for the project to come to fruition.
“The online media assertions clearly displayed ignorance in the workings of the National Assembly, and even though we are not going to join issues with those who chose to write unsubstantiated reports in their media platform violating the ethics of the profession.
“I want to therefore use this opportunity to advice the press, especially those who were bent on mischief to desist, and always stick to the truth, and nothing but the truth which is one of the ethics of the profession. ” Mshelia stated.
On what he was able to do in the last two and half years, the national lawmaker said that even Gov. Zulum has praised his modest achievements in providing dividends of democracy to people at the grassroots when the Governor toured to his Constituency last year.
“Some of you were in Askira Uba and Hawul local government areas when His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum toured my Constituency last year. You were all aware of how he appreciated my little efforts.
“When I came on board to represent my good people at the grassroots, I was able to provide functional KVA Transformers to the people of Hausari Zadawa, Shaffa, Tashan Alade, Mbulatawiwi, Agabura, Gwangzang and Bilatum communities.
“This is in addition to replacement of 10 electricity poles and re-stringing of the line to Pama, erection and construction of new substation with new transformer at Chambhan Bulguma village in Askira/Uba and the extension of electricity from Kida town to Bolikatau and Gwongwa villages along with two”Transformers,” Mshelia said.
He noted that the establishment of new sub-station with new ones at Chambham Bulguma, Askira, Kida, Bolikatau and Gwongwa have been linked to the National Grid.
According to Mshelia, education is the bedrock of society, hence, he constructed new blocks of classrooms in many communities to improve standard of education especially at the grassroots.
The completion of two blocks of classrooms each in seven communities of Malang, Hyera, Nyalku, Tashan Gauta, Kwagushar and six classrooms block in Gwandzang among others.
According to him, girl-child education and literacy among households were also give special attention.
On empowerment of youths, the legislator said: “We’ve engaged 100 youths in hair dressing and handset repairs with Starter-Packs for their trade. ”
He noted that members of his constituency who are predominantly farmers benefitted from 30 tons of fee fertilizer distributed for 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons, while plans were on for another support for this year season.
The Chairman House Committee on COVID-19 who is a medical doctor said he had provided Covid -19 control and prevention materials to all the General Hospitals and Primary healthcare institutions across the constituency, in addition to the establishment of four National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) centers to enhanced registration for national ID card.
On humanitarian crisis faced by his people affected by insurgency, the lawmaker said 18 trucks of food and non-food items were procured and shared to victims in Askira Uba and Hawul communities since within the past two years, while 22 assorted vehicles to cushion the logistic hardships faced by his people.
According to him, scholarship was offered to 250 students, mostly the vulnerable ones in the constituency.
He also listed Kida, Shaffa, Kwagushar and other communities which benefitted in the robust rehabilitation and drilling of boreholes, in addition to 500 meters Asphalt Road within Azare, the Headquarter of Hawul Local Government Area with 1km road and drainages each in Lassa and Uba, while that of Askira is still ongoing following delay caused by Boko Haram Insurgents.